Week 11, Spring 2020

Zoom Hack: Who's Nuking Zoom?

And, here we are in a pandemic and someone is bombing Zoom sessions.

I told my students early on that someone with way too much time on their hands is disrupting random Zoom meetings.  At the beginning of each session, I have them locate the LEAVE MEETING button, and tell them, "If things get weird, leave the meeting immediately. Then, wait 30 minutes, and check for a Canvas Announcement with next steps." I also warn them I may end the meeting abruptly.

I've also been experimenting with new tips and tricks in the Settings menu (some, more useful than others). Some "best practices," like using the Personal Meeting Room for continuity, now put us at risk.

Here are tips, tricks, and new security moves from Zoom and CCC Tech Connect: 

List of Best Practices for Preventing Zoom Bombing 
This is a handy list of the techniques (demonstrated in the webinar, below).

Here's a replay of a webinar on Zoom bombing (The first 25 minutes take you through visuals re: how to use anti-bombing features, including how to manage intrusions while in a live meeting. Then there's free-wheeling Q & A.)

Details on Using New Security Icon 

(Demonstrated impressively in webinar)

General Advice for Productive Zoom Meetings

(Some applies more to businesses, but there are some good tips for managing your sessions.)

Working from Home

Lisa E. Muñoz

Professor of English
Faculty Partner, Muses Writers Forum

My high school class is such a joy.  All students attend the Zoom sessions regularly and they are great participators.  They've spent the last few weeks writing poems, stories, and essays about the pandemic, and one student is writing a dystopia that should really become a novel.  All year, we have read books assigned together, but now they are reading books independently and discussing short stories as a class.  A lot of students have chosen Stephen King books because that's pretty much the mood of their senior year gone sideways.  Did I tell you that during our first Zoom session, one student said, "Hey Alexa, play The Walking Dead theme song" and ALL students had Alexas next to them that started playing it.  Talk about eerie, hilarious, and a dystopian futuristic classroom in the making. 

One of Lisa's secret weapons to working well at home is her wireless vertical ergonomic mouse:

Links and Resources



There has been renewed interest in Padlet, which I shared in one of our first blog posts. You can see the overview here: Week 5, Fall 2019 or try one out here: Miramar Padlet Introductions

All the Zoom backgrounds you need here:

• Public Domain Backgrounds for Zoom  
• Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghigli Release Free Backgrounds
• Canva Zoom Virtual Background Templates

From the Chronicle of Higher Ed, 5 Low-Tech, Time-Saving Ways to Teach Online During Covid-19

Virtually Absent? How to connect with the students who need it?

Week 10, Spring 2020

https://gbr.pepperdine.edu/blog/2020/04/09/19803/

Guest Blogger
Stefanie Johnson Shipman

Headshot by four3zeromedia

Stefanie Johnson Shipman, M.A., RYT-200, is a tenured Associate Professor of English/ESOL and a Ph.D. student in Higher Education Teaching/Learning and Leadership at the University of San Diego. She is also a certified yoga teacher and a mom to toddler twins.

Overcoming Negative Perceptions Associated with Working From Home: One Faculty’s Customized Workspace

In January of this year, after four years of teaching online, countless papers and other assignments graded online, and orders from my doctor and physical therapist, I had to make my workspace at home more ergonomic. 

First my husband, Eric, literally hacked my current desk. He took out one of the drawers of my desk and used an old shelf in the garage to create a sliding space for the wireless keyboard and mouse we got for me. It is a custom fit for me. We also dusted off his old laptop shelf for my MacBook and an old monitor so that I could finally have two monitors. The second monitor has greatly increased my productivity, and I cannot believe I waited as long as I did to try one out. Finally, I use a yoga block under my feet for added support and ergonomics. 

I know that some people question if distance teaching/learning is sustainable and question productivity at home versus on campus. However, my custom space at home really helps my focus and workflow, and it was a relief to know that it was all set to go before the switch to fully online/remote this semester.

Relatedly, an Inside HigherEd article in February 2020 addressed the idea of working remotely in, "What Counts as Proximity?"

Student Support Online

If you haven't seen or shared the Canvas portals to the following student support pages, please check out these fabulous resources for our students:

Miramar Career Center Canvas Portal

Academic Success Center Online

The Writing and English Language Lab (The WELL) Online


Canvas Hack: Copying Announcements

Patti Manley

I recently found this great hidden tool in Canvas Announcements. Many of us want to post the same announcement in multiple classes without having to copy and paste in other courses. 

There an easy way to do that in Canvas.  After creating and posting an announcement in the first class, go to that announcement (in the same class) and in the top right corner there are three dots. Click on those dots and select "copy to" and then from the pull down menu, select the course you want to copy the announcement into. Then click save.

It takes a little while for the announcement to copy over because it's not immediate.  You will see at the top of the screen you copied it from a message, "copying in process."  Wait a little bit (I didn't go into the other courses for about 15 minutes) and it will be there!

Try it! What have you got to lose?

Links and Resources

Dr. Luke Wood and Dr. Frank Harris hosted another webinar with CORA. View the video archive here: Equity-Minded Student Services in the Online Environment.

UNESCO Archives has made public more than 7000 audio recordings. The recordings include music, speeches, conferences, round tables, cultural events, field recordings, and more.

Yes! Use Your Phone in Class: Tips for More Equitable Remote Teaching and Learning

I thought SNL's Zoom Call was spot-on.

Week 9, Spring 2020

Zoom BINGO

Working from Home

What is it like teaching Math remotely? Here is Becky Stephens, Math Professor Conducting Math 252 (Calc 3) via Zoom on Day 2.

David Mehlhoff, Administration of Justice Professor, explains his #WFH set up for perfect lighting:

First, use sources from different angles to eliminate shadowing: natural light, overhead, and reflected light bounce off a foam board:

Second, an LED work light:

For the final touch, a Shoji screen for background to eliminate the shadowing on a white wall by absorbing light and providing depth.

What about you?
Be part of the #WFH series! Please send in photots, videos, and/or tips about how your remote work is going. (Email to Denise Maduli-Williams, dmaduliw@sdccd.edu)

Canvas Hack: Linking Zoom

Ken Reinstein, Professor, English, ELAC, The WELL Coordinator

By now, you're likely managing more apps than you did before the transition to online. Here's a simple hack that allows students to enter Zoom directly through Canvas. (Thanks to Dave Giberson for this great shortcut!)

1. Open a course shell in Canvas, and open Settings
2. Select the Apps tab
3. In the Filter by name field, type Redirect and select the tool when it appears (it looks like a curved blue arrow)
4. Click + Add App. The Add App window will appear
5.  Enter a name for your Zoom menu item in the Name field. For my ELAC 35 class, I gave it the name ELAC 35 Zoom Room. Any name will do!
6.  In a separate tab, go to your Zoom.us account, sign in and go to your Profile page. Copy the specific URL (your personal Zoom web address ending with a 9-digit number) assigned to you when you signed up for your Zoom account. Paste this address in the URL Redirect field.
7. Select the boxes Force open in new Tab (For External Links Only), and Show in Course Navigation
8. Click Add App.
9. Go back to the Navigation tab. You should see the Zoom link (with the name you created) in your Enabled apps. (If it’s not enabled, simply enable it.) Click Save. You are done!

Now your students only need to click this menu item to enter Zoom. No need to send them a link each time you want to schedule a Zoom session. If you want, you can disable the app anytime you don’t want students to enter.

My students really like the convenience of one-click entry to Zoom directly from Canvas. Try it!

Try This: Zoom Breakout Rooms

If you are ready to level-up your Zoom sessions, try Breakout Rooms. Some links to get you started:

For you (the host): Managing Breakout Rooms

For students

• Participating in ZOOM
• Participating in a Breakout Room

Links and Things

You may have heard about Zoom-bombing. Here are simple ways to safeguard your sessions. 6 Tips to deter Zoom-bombers

Your Brain on Stress

Now that we are all teaching remotely, you may be interested in teaching online in the future. The SDCCD Online Pathways Online Faculty Certification Program is availalbe to you.

If David's set-up was a little much for you, watch a quick video to see how to Light Your Face with a lamp when you have backlight.

How to add Red-Shelf to a Canvas Module

Zaretta Hammond's Webinar on Moving Beyond the Packet: Creating More Culturally Responsive Distance Learning Experiences reached capacity! You can still register to view the webinar.

Something to keep the kids busy: Google's 3d Animals are the Perfect Quarantine Activity

Week 8, Spring 2020

Slide from Humanizing Remote Teaching & Learning Webinar, Michelle Pacansky-Brock

Well here we are at the end of our first week fully online as an entire college!

As we head into a well-deserved Spring Break, here are just a few links and resources for you to mull over to support you and your students when we return:

Try This! 

DIY Doc Cam

Dr. Jae Calanog, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy 

Jae created his own DIY document camera for Zoom sessions based on a hack he saw on Instagram:

           Inspiration from Professor Krissy Venosdale                                   Jae's DIY doc cam                                

You can also try a Shoebox Hug to create a DIY doc cam with a simple shoebox and your phone:

See Bonni Stachowiak from the Teaching in Highered Podcast show how here: Shoebox Hug Document Camera

Student Information Links

Duane Short, Professor, Business

Duane pulled together a list of resources for our students during the campus closure and public health emergency.

California has launched a new website to provide useful COVID-19 information to all state residents. It highlights critical steps people can take to stay healthy and includes public service announcements from state health leaders.

Here are some student resources and FAQs related to education from the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office.

The CDC has created a checklist on how to prepare your household.

Federal student loan payments can be suspended for 60 days.

The California Department of Education has made an app to help families locate meals during school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The California Department of Public Health is maintaining a COVID-19 information page with updates and guidance about the disease.

The California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance has a wealth of information and resources for undocumented families, including resources by region.

There has been an increase in fraud schemes related to COVID-19 including fake emails and counterfeit treatments or equipment. 

The CDC has put together a guide on easing fear and anxiety during this uncertain time.

The meditation site Headspace is offering a free collection called Weathering the Storm. It offers guided meditations and sleep and movement exercises to help get everyone through this time.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

We can all safely help our communities during this difficult time. You can find a number of ways to take action on the California Volunteers website. I will accept any volunteer work you do as extra credit in lieu of a workshop or student club meeting.

Two Timely Webinars

Denise Maduli-Williams (and Bella)

If you missed either one of these webinars, the slides and recording are here and as we push forward online, we must consider these timely topics:

Humanizing Temporary Remote Teaching and Learning, by CVC-OEI Online Faculty Mentor, Michelle Pacansky-Brock

Equity Minded Online Teaching Practices, by Dr. Luke Wood and Dr. Frank Harris III from the Center for Organizational Responsiblity and Advancement (CORA).

Special Edition 4: Canvas Hack: Create a Internet Access Survey

Thanks to Mara Palma-Sanft for sharing a survey her high schoolers received in preparation for going remote!  This can help you get a sense of your students' ability to access your course materials online, and work directly with students who may have challenges that have nothing to do with course content.

I revised the high school-oriented survey to reflect Miramar's setup and created a poll in Canvas for my students. 

 To create a poll in Canvas: 

• Create a new Quiz
• Select UNGRADED SURVEY in the pull down menu
• Create multiple choice or fill-in-the blank questions
• Save and publish!

Technology and Internet Access Survey

Instructions: This is a quick survey to let us know the best way to keep you in touch with online class materials. If you need to talk beyond the questions here, please email me at -------

1.  First Name, Last Name


2.  Which of these devices do you use primarily to connect to the internet?
            Computer (Desktop or Laptop)
            Tablet (iPad, Galaxy, etc.)
            Smart Phone
            I do not have access to the internet


3.
Which of the following best describes your access to the device (computer, tablet, smart phone)?
            I have exclusive use of the device.

            I share the device with others.


4 . What's the best time for you to access course materials/the Internet?
            In the morning
            In the afternoon
            In the evening
            Any time I need it

5.  Where do you access the Internet?

            At home

            At work

            At a public place like the library

            At a friend's


6. Is there a data limit on your internet access?
            Yes
            No

7.  Do you have the capability to watch videos, Face Time, or Skype?
            Yes
            No

8. How many people use your Internet access?